Staying Gold: How The Outsiders Musical Brought a Classic to Life

When I was twelve years old, sitting in the back of my honors English class, doing my best to pay attention, I had no idea that my life was about to change. My eyes drooping, I looked down at my desk noticing the book my teacher had just placed in front of me – the assigned reading for the semester. Squinting, I saw the title read The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. As I turned the pages, I became engrossed in the world of Ponyboy, Johnny, and the Greasers. I discovered a story of friendship, hardship, and identity that stayed with me years after I turned the final page.

When the YU Broadway Club recently announced they were going to see the new musical adaptation of The Outsiders, I was both incredibly excited yet nervous to see how one of my favorite books would be adapted into a stage production. Could a musical capture the raw emotion and depth of the characters I so deeply connected with, all those years back? 

To my delightful surprise, The Outsiders musical not only brought the story to life but did it in a way that was deeply moving and felt like a breath of fresh air.

While not entirely accurate to Hinton’s novel, the musical adaptation still managed to perfectly capture the themes of family, and the socioeconomic hierarchy between the Socs and the Greasers, and remain faithful to their characterizations. At its core the musical’s narrative does follow the book relatively accurately, ensuring that the majority of the key moments are given the emotional weight and gravity they deserve. Some of the dialogue is even taken directly from the book, further securing the musical’s authenticity to the novel.

The music seamlessly blends genres such as blues, folk, and rock to create a score that reflects the gritty setting of the “wrong side of the tracks” in Tulsa, Oklahoma during the 1960s. One of the standout songs is Tulsa ‘67, the opening number that effectively establishes the setting all the while being creative and catchy and sure to be stuck in your head. Another is Great Expectations, which, with a slow build-up to a crescendo, captures Ponyboy’s internal conflict: wanting to both become the person he is expected to be yet also fulfill his higher aspirations. There is also Stay Gold, a song with a soothing acoustic melody, which contrasts its heartbreaking content.

All the members of the cast give strong performances, truly bringing the story to life. Particularly Brody Grant who plays Ponyboy, Sky Lakota-Lynch who plays Johnny, and Joshua Boone who plays Dallas. The three actors bring nuance and power to their roles, allowing the audience to feel the characters as real people and not just actors on a stage. 

The direction balances intimate character moments with high-stakes action sequences, such as the rumble, the second act climax where the Greasers and Socs have a turf war, which is choreographed to look like an all-out rough-and-tumble fist fight, while still looking elegant – almost ballet-like – making for an engaging and immersive theatrical experience. The set design is minimalist yet effective, with lighting and projections used to show the different locations, from the gravely streets of Tulsa to the burning church where Ponyboy and Johnny perform their great act of heroism.

The musical breathes new life into The Outsiders, making its themes resonate with contemporary audiences. The story’s exploration of found family, loyalty, and identity feels just as relevant today as it did in the 1960s. For those like me who have loved The Outsiders for years, the musical adaptation is a rewarding and emotional experience, honoring the original while still offering something new. Even for those who have never read the book, the musical acts as an effective introduction to the world of Ponyboy and the Greasers, maybe even encouraging them to pick up the book and experience the original for themselves.

Overall, the musical is a powerful and effective adaptation that allows for Ponyboy and the Greaser’s story to remain timeless, and allows it to ‘stay golden’.

Photo Caption: Ponyboy in the opening scene of The Outsider Musical

Photo Credit: Ester Fattakhov